SHORT TAKES: REGIONAL EDITION School leaders critical of revised state budget

May 17, 2008

LEMON GROVE:
Local school leaders said yesterday that the governor's revised budget that added $1.8 billion to education funding still isn't enough to do the job.

In January, the governor proposed spending $55 billion on education in the year that begins July 1. On Wednesday, he updated that to $56.8 billion. That's $193 million more than this year's budget.

The rising costs of health benefits and other expenses mean schools need more money for the same services, said Randy Ward, superintendent of the county's public schools, outside the Lemon Grove office of Republican Assemblywoman Shirley Horton of Bonita.

“We're like the parents in every household. When we have to pay more for gas, when we have to pay more for utilities, we have to cut back somewhere else in our household budget,” Ward said.

Those cutbacks have meant layoffs of teachers and other school employees, closed schools, larger class sizes and canceled programs at schools that educate nearly 500,000 students in kindergarten through 12th grade. Some cuts may be restored if schools get more funds than they anticipate. –C.M.

Coast likely to heat up;
inland to keep sizzling

Coastal residents escaped the worst of the heat yesterday, with highs mostly in the mid 80s, but they may not be so lucky today and tomorrow.

High pressure centered over Central California yesterday is expected to shift to Southern California today. If that pressure is strong enough, it could push 90-degree heat all the way to the beaches, National Weather Service forecaster Mark Moede said.

Inland residents can expect more of the sizzling temperatures they had yesterday. The Ramona Fire Station hit 96, breaking the record of 92 set in 1997. Brown Field near the U.S.-Mexico border recorded a high of 95, topping the mark of 93 set in 1956. El Cajon reached 96, shattering the record of 87 set in 2004. Highs in some areas today and tomorrow could top 100 degrees. –R.K.

Trapped wild mouse tests
positive for hantavirus

County vector control officials confirmed yesterday that another wild mouse trapped during routine monitoring in the Tijuana River Valley area has tested positive for hantavirus.

It is the second wild mouse that has tested positive from the area this year, officials said. Vector control staff will conduct more testing in the area to determine the extent of the virus.

Hantavirus is carried by wild rodents, primarily deer mice. The virus is found in rodent droppings and urine, and can be inhaled by humans when it becomes airborne. The airborne virus can cause hantavirus pulmonary syndrome, which can begin with symptoms similar to the flu. In rare cases, it can lead to severe breathing difficulties and even death.

There is no vaccine or treatment for hantavirus. –A.M.

To vote June 3, residents
must register by Monday

SAN DIEGO: The deadline is approaching to register to vote in the June 3 election.

County residents have until Monday to fill out a voter registration form, which can be found at post offices and libraries.

The form must be postmarked or delivered to the registrar of voters by midnight Monday. The form can also be found at sdvote.com, where voters can also check to make sure that their registration status and party affiliation are correct.

The deadline to request a mail ballot is May 27.

The primary features several races, including San Diego and Chula Vista city elections, plus ballot measures in Encinitas, Carlsbad and Oceanside. –C.G.